Portable moving racing apparatus



Sept. 1, 1931. E. L. BALLEW I PORTABLE MOVING RACING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 27. 1928 6 Elmer LBa/Zew ATTORNEY v Patented Sept. 1 1931 i i UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE ELIVIER L. BALLEW, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS PORTABLE MOVING RACING APPARATUS Application filed September 27, 1928. Serial No. 308,738.

This invention relates to certain novel The invention will bebest understood by improvements in portable moving racing apreference to the accompanying drawings, paratus, and has for its principal object the showing the preferred form of construction provision of an improved construction of and in which; this character which will be highly eiiicieiit Fig. 1 is a side view depicting apreferred 55 in use and economical in manufacture. form of construction for my device;

It is among the objects of my invention Fig. 2 is a fragmental plan view of the to provide a device of the above named device illustrated in Fig. 1; character which will be arranged in such Fig. 3 is a fragmental plan view depicta manner that it may be easily transported ing the liire and the mounting therefor; and expeditiously set up. Fig. 4 is a side view of a preferred form Another object of the invention is to proof a starting box adapted to be associated vide a device of the above named character with the device;

, which will be particularly adapted for use Fig. 5 is a view depicting another form in connection with so called dog racing and of starting box for the device; consists in providing a trackway having a Fig. 6 is a plan view, partly in elevation starting and finishing point associated thereand partly in section, of the device as illuswith. trated in Fig. 5; and

Another object of the invention is to ar- Fig. 7 is a detail view depicting a modirange the trackway in such a manner that fied form of construction for my device.

the floor thereof may be moved in a direc- In the drawings I depict a device which is tion opposite to the travel of the dogs or the particularly adapted for the racing of dogs like thereover. and it is to be understood that by making A still furtherobject of the invention is certain modifications which will be readily 25 to provide a mechanism of the above named apparent to any one skilled in the art, the

type which will be arranged such that the (leviceniight be adapted for other purposes devices may be disposed o as to provid a and this s intended to be within the purv ew course of any desired length. of y lnventlqn- In t c pa ying A still further object of the invention is rawlngs I depict a device which includes to arrange a device of the above named ing point 10, a tr ck 11, and a finishcharacter in such a manner that a lure may 1 g P nt 12- III the present instance debe associated therewith and to arrange the P161? these hree asbelng closely associated device such that this lure will be caused to og ther but it Is to be understood that the disappear t a d i ed ti starting point might be posit oned at a point A still further object of the invention is m f m the @Tfick P0111011 11 and Q 6 to provide a device of the above named charfifllshlng POlIlt m ght also be arranged in acter which will have associated therewith thls 61 a e track 11 might be com- 1 d i h posed of any number ofmovable track portions such as are generically indicated by 13 in the drawings. It is to be understood A still further-object of the invention is t the m b track P01t10I1S 13 W0111d be to arrange a device of the above named h arranged in this latter instance in successive t h anner that it will embod relationa v ac er m Sue a m y In the present instance the movable track astarting box of an improve that the dogs may all be released at the same 40 time.

a movin floor that ma be driven b the p p 45 t d f ih d th z or hi h section 13 embodies a frame 14 which has be driven by a suitable source of power. I S m m rs 1 16, 17, and 18 associated Other objects will appear hereinafter; therewith. In the present instance at the The invention consists in the novel compoints of inter-section between the cross bination and arrangement of parts to be braces 15 and 16 and members 15 and 18 I 5o hereinafter described and claimed. journal shafts 19 and 20. Mounted upon the shafts 19 and 20 are, in the present instance, a plurality of drum members 21. These drum members 21 are arranged so as to be of a Width sufiicient to provide a path along which the dogs may run, it being understood that the term dogs is used herein in a generic sense. It is to be understood, however, that if desired the shaft 19 might be arranged so as to support but a single drum and a similar construction might be provided in association with the shaft 20. v

In the cross braces 17 I provide vertically extending slots 22. The end portions of the shaft 23 are disposed in these slots 22. Drums 24 substantially similar to the drums 21 are associated with the shaft 23, it being understood that while in the present instance I show a plurality of drums 24 it is within the purview of my invention to provide but a single drum on this shaft as described in connection with the shafts 19 and 20. Directed around the drums 21 and 24 is an endless belt structure indicated by 25. In the present instance this endless belt structure embodies a plurality of belt members 26 which are associated with each set of the drums 21 and 24. In the present instance the belt member 25 is formed from a suitable material such as, for example, a fabric so as to form a structure substantially similar to a belt. However, it is to be understood that'the belt might be formed from a plurality of suitably inter-connected sections without departing from the purview of my invention. In the present instance the peripheries of the drums 21 and 24 are made smooth but it is to be understood that these peripheries might be corrugated without departing from the purview of my invention. Further, in the event the endless belt structure 25 was formed from a plurality of sections suitably joined together, the peripheries of these drums might be arranged so as to co-operate with these sections.

In a construction wherein a plurality of belt sections 26 are provided it is necessary that the space therebetween be arranged such that the dogs may not get between the said belt members 26. This may be accomplished by extending between the endportions of the frame 14 suitable covering members 26'. In place of the covering members 26 it is readily apparent that partitions might be provided between the various belt sections 26 so as to confine a dog on each of said belt sections and such a partition is indicated by 27 in the drawing wherein said par tition is indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1. It is to be understood, however, that in the event but a single belt section is used these partitions and these covering members might be dispensed with since all the dogs would run upon the same surface. Y

Extending between the members 15 and between opposite sides of the frame 14 is a shaft 28. Mounted at suitable points on this shaft are spring'm'embers 29 which have corresponding end portions thereof pivotally connected to the shaft 28. The opposite end portions of the members 29 indicated by 30 are arranged so as to extend across above the shaft 23. Carried by the crossbraces 15 is a cross-brace 31. Extending downwardly from the cross-brace 31 is a stationary portion 32 of a jack screw structure. The movable portion 33 of the jack screw structure is connected to the portion 30 and the screw 34 is arranged between the portions 32 and 33 and is manipulated through the medium of a handle structure 35. The screw 34 is arranged so as to dispose the portion 33 in such a manner that the portion 30 will be caused to bear against the shaft 23 and in this manner the belt member 25 may be placed under suitable tension.

The portion of the belt 25 extending bctwecn the drums 21 and carried by the shafts 19 and 20 is the portion which is adapted to provide the trackway and this portion is indicated by 36 in the drawings. Arranged below the portion 36 and suitably carried by the frame 14 are a plurality of roller members 37 which are adapted to form a substantial surface below the portion 36 and thus provide a relatively solid trackway. As the dogs pass over the portion the action of their feet thereon will tend to move the endless belt structure 25 in a direction toward the shaft 19. It is therefore apparent that the progress of the dogs across the portion 36 will be greatly retarded and therefore a race of relatively great length may be run in a comparatively short space. If desired, power may be supplied to one of the shafts supporting the drums which carry the endless belt structure 25. When this construction is employed the endless belt structure 25 may be driven in a direction toward the shaft 19 and it is apparent will operate the belt indepcmlent-of the action of the dogs. hen this latter structure is employed the belt is preferably driven at a speed less than the forward speed of the dogs in order that they will gradually move from the starting point 10 to the finishing point 12.

Extending from one edge of the frame 14 to a point substantially in vertical alignment wil'h the shaft 19 is a floor portion 38. A similar floor portion 39 extends between the frame 14 and a point in alignment with the shaft 20. It is thercfm'e apparent that when a plurality of the devices 13 are to be arranged in alignment so as to provide a relatively great distance between the starting point 10 and the finishing point 12 that between these various members 13 there will be a stationary floor space comprised of the abutting members 38 and 39.

Adjacent the last of the floor portions 39 I arrange a stationary floor portion 40 which comprises a portion of the finishing point 12. The lure indicated by 41 is arranged above this floor 40 and in the present instance is carried on a shaft 42 that extends to the pivotally mounted member 43. This lure is normally disposed so as to be in view of the dogs passing over the section 11 so as to serve to'attract them. In the present instance a hurdle 44 is supported above the floor 40 in such a manner as to provide -a space 45 between the lower edge of the hurdle and the floor 40. lVhen it is desired to terminate the race the member 43 is rotatedabout the pivotal support 46 therefore and the lure 41 is passed through the opening 45. The dogs arriving on the portion 40 and seeing the lure disappear behind the hurdle 44 leap the hurdle and proceed toward the finishing point which is indicated by the upright member 47. A suitable screen or other vision preventing device may be associated with this member 47 and after the dogs pass therebehind they are caught. The particular finishing point may be arranged on the portion 40 either before or 44 may serve as the finishing point.

In the present instance I show the starting boxes which, are generically indicated by 48 as being closely associated with the member 38 but it is to be understood that a stationary floor space might be provided between the starting boxes 48 and the member 38 and still be within the purview of my invention. v

In Fig. 4 I have illustrated one form of starting box 48 which includes a housing 50 having an exit opening 51 at one end thereof which is normally closed by door 52. The door 52 is supported in position by arms such as 53 and 54 and terminate in a hearing portion 55 that is pivotally mounted as indicated at 56. A handle portion 57 extends outwardly from the bearing portion 55 and by moving the handle portion 57 from the full line position of Fig. 4 into the dotted line position of this figure the door 52 1s moved from closing position with respect to the opening 51. It is apparent that when such a structure is used for the starting boxes 48 all of the handles 57 will be manipulated at the same time and thus the dogs will rush out of the starting boxes toward the trackway 11, the dogs being attracted by the lure 41. In Figs. 5 and 6 I have depicted another type of starting box which comprises a plurality of housings 58 which,have exit openings 59 at one end thereof and are normally closed by door members 60. The door members 60 have one of the edges thereof securedto the shafts 61 that are suitably behind the hurdle 44 or the hurdle.

supportedin the housing 58. On the shafts 61 are worm wheels 62 that mesh with the worm gear 63 mounted on the shaft 64. At

one endof the device the shaft 64 is provided with the gear 65 that meshes with the gear 66 and is rotatably mounted as indicated at 67. A handle portion 68 is provided and when this handle portion 68 is manipulated the gear 66 is revolved and this revolves the gear 65 that in turn imparts rotation to the shaft 64. This rotates theworm gears 63 which operate the worm wheels 62 to move the shafts 61 such that the door members 60 are moved from closing position.

In Fig. 7 I have depicted one modified form of construction for the device 13 over that illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Herein the belt structure 25 is directed around a drum construction consisting of 4 drums 69 that are mounted so as to form a shape sub stantially similar, in this instance, to a rectangle. The portion extending between the upwardly disposed rollers 69 provides the trackway. This modification is depicted in order to illustrate that the device 13 might be arranged in a number of different manners so as to provide a moving surface over which the dogs may run.

It is apparent from the foregoing description that I have provided a device which is comprised of units that may be readily disassembled so as to facilitate transportation. The device is also arranged such that it is flexible in that it may be arranged in a number of different embodiments. The construction is such that the device may be set up either above the ground or imbedded therein and if desired the device might be used interiorly of a building in order that the racing "might continue in inclement weather.

While I have described two forms of starting boxes which may be used with my device .it isto be understood that other types might be used without departing from the purview of my invention and further example of this is that the startingboxes'might be arranged so asto be bottomless and in order to start the race these boxes might be elevated through the usage of a suitable block and tackle or the like and it is obvious that in the event suchboxes were raised the dogs would be released.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification, without departing from the spirit of the invention. 1,

therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variation and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is new and desire to protect by Letters Patent isz- 1. In a racing device, a starting point, a finishing point, a track portion arranged between said starting point and said finishing point embodying a movable floor, a lure arranged adjacent saidfinishing point, and means for moving said lure from operating position.

2. In a racing device, a starting point, a finishing point, a track portion arranged between said starting point and said finishing point embodying a movable floor, a lure arranged adjacent said finishing point, and means for moving said lure from operating position, a hurdle arranged at said finishing point, said lure being moved past said hurdle whereby to conceal said lure from position.

3. In a racing device, a starting point, a finishing point, a track portion arranged between said starting and finishing points emb'bdying a belt like member providing a floor, means disposed below the portion of said belt like member extended between said starting and finishing points for supporting the same, means for imparting movement to said belt like member whereby the portion thereof extended between said starting and finishing points may be moved in the direction toward said starting point, and a lure disposed adj acent'said finishing point.

4. In a racing device, a starting point, a finishing point, a track portion arranged between said starting and finishing points embodying a belt like member providing a floor, means disposed below the portion of said belt like member extended between said starting and finishing points for supporting the same, means for imparting movement to said belt like member whereby the portion thereof extended' between said starting and finishing points may be moved in the direction toward said starting point, a lure disposed adjacent said finishing point, and means for moving said lure to permit said lure to be concealed at desired times.

5. In racing apparatus, a supporting structure, drums rotatably mounted in said supporting structure, an endless belt movable around said drums and defining a floor between the starting and finishing points of a race run thereon, certain of said drums being mounted for vertical movement in said supporting structure, yieldable means carried by said supporting structure normally urging said vertically movable drums toward said belt and in a direction away from said floor, and adjustable means for Varying tension of said yieldable means and said belt.

6. A portable racing appartus comprising an endless belt providing a movable floor adapted to travel between the starting and finishing points of a race, a supporting structure for said belt including a stationary frame and rotatable means around which said belt is directed in said frame, said rotatable means including drums mounted for vertical movement in said frame, means for urging saiddrums toward said belt in a direction away from said floor including yieldable arms pivotally carried by said frame, and adjustable means for tensioning said arms and said belt.

7. A portable racing apparatus comprising an endless belt providing-a movable floor adapted to travel between the starting and finishing points of a race, a supporting structure for said belt including a stationary frame and rotatable means around which said belt is directed in said frame, said rotatable means including drums mounted for vertical movement in said frame, means for urging said drums toward said belt in a direction away from said floor including yieldable arms pivotally carried by said frame, and adjustable means for tensioning said arms and said belt, said adjustable means including screw members carried by said frame and engaged with the free ends of said arms.

In testimony whereof I atfix my signature.

ELMER L. BALLEWV. 

